Automatic washing machine



March 15,.1932. E. J. PERRY AUTOMATIC WAS HING MACHINE Filed Nov. 28. 1927 4 sheets-sheet 1 INVENTOR. [Manuel JR!!! fl 7 ATTORNEY/5 March 15, 1932. J PERIRY 1,849,952

AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINE t l I INVENTOR.

Emanuel Jfirr A ATTORNEW March 15,-1932. E. J. PERRY AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet I Filed Nov. 28, 1927 IIIIIIIIIIIIIII @5151! INVENTOR. lmanaei Jfi'ny A TTORNEYS a March 15, 193 2.

' E. J. PERRY AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINE Filed Nov. 28, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 OUTLET Q .INVENTOR. E v lhaamr/Jfiny BY a ATTORNEYS Patented 15, 1932 can a. man

Assmmm, are one, a coaroae'rron or one OF NEW. BEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESHE THE CAN LAUNDRY MACHINERY COMPANY, OF NOBWOOD,

a'c'romrrc wa'same moms:

I Application filed H'ovember 28, 1827. Serial No. 286,255.

This invention relates to laundry machines and more particularly to the commercial or industrial type of washin machine.

In commercial or industrial laundry plants,

, a considerable number of large washing machines are employed as a part of the equip ment for can ing out laundry operation. Cylinder machmes of the fixed cylinder type or of the automatic unloading type are customar ly employed in plants of this character. These machines are designed to permit the treating of material according to a wide variety of washing formulae involving the use of hot and cold water, blueing, bleach, sour,'soap, and the like substances. These formulae difier as to the ingredients employed, the'sequence in which the should be introduced and the duration of t e introduction of the several in edients, according to the character and con ition of material to be treated. It is apparent, therefore. that in a plant of'this character, each machine re-' quires a certain amount of attention of a skilled operator, and, due to the natural limitations on human accuracy and speed. a number of such operators may be required for the care of: a large number of machines.

Moreover, the production of a uniform class of Work requires a de e of skill on the part of the operator whic is often lacking and which at best is unreliable. Knowledge of these circumstances has resulted in attempts to produce a machine capable of carrying out certain washing cycles in a substantially automatic manner, but such machines d'o-not possess the simplicity of construction, the flexibility of adjustment to accommodate the desired variety of washing formulae, or the degree of accuracy and dependability required of a commercial machine. My inven-v tion relates to the provision-of an automatic commercial type .of m chine which fulfills this and other requirements. 4

It is. an object of my invention to provide an automatic laundry machine capable ofcarrying out a completecycle of washing operations. without requiring the attention of an operator.

- It is also an olg'ect of my invention to provide an improve term of automatic mcchanism for controlling and permitting the adjustment of the valve actuation which governs the washing formula.

A further object ofmy invention resides in the provision of a machine for automatically introducing predetermined quantities of washing fluids and which takes into acand all varicount and compensates for any t exist in the ations in pressure which mig .fluid supply mains.

. My lnventlon also embraces as an object, means for automatically actuating the outlet valve of the machine 'in any. desired predetermined sequence with reference to the introduction of the several washing substances.

Another object ofmy invention relates to the provision of means whereby the operator or attendant can tell at a glancejust what portion of a washing cycle the machine is performing at any given time.

- Other objects and advantages of my invention reside in the structural details and refinements in a machine of the character indicated, all of which, together with the foregoing objects, will hereinafter more clearly polnted out. r

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is aview'in end elevation of a cylinder type of washing machine with my invention applied thereto,

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the entire machine and illustrating particularly my improved valve mechamsm and, its relation to i solenoid.

Fig. 7 is a 'view similar to Fig. 6, but illustrating another of-the inlet valves with which an auxiliary controlling mechanism is associated.

- 'manually operable switches.

- valves 9,

' In the drawings, I have shown my invention as applied to a washing machine of an automatic unloading cylinder type, but I desire it understood that this disclosure is used merely by way of illustration and that my invention may be applied with equal advantage to any type of laundry machine wherein it is desired to perform a series of operations in an automatic manner.

The washing. machine is indicated generally by the reference character 1 and is provided with a conventional type of outlet valve 2 for dischargingithe washing fluids from the cylinder. Conduits3 communicate with the cylinder at the rear side thereof and are connected by a common manifold 4 which in turn connects through a conduit 5 with a second manifold 6. Conduits for a plurality of sourcesof washing materials are indicated in Fig. 1 by the reference'numeral 8 and as illustrated in this figure and also in Fig. 2, these conduits'open into valves 9' and 9a, which valves communicate with the second manifold 6 through their respective conduits 7 and 7a. Valves 9 are of the well known commercial type and ordinarily embody an actuating handle 10 whereby communication may be had from. any desired source of supplythrougha selected conduit 8, valve '9, or 9a, conduits 7 or 7a, manifold 6, conduit 5, and manifold4 leading to the cylinder. It is apparent that with the mechanism thus far described, any desired washing cycle may be carried-out by suitable manual manipulationof the several valves 9 and 9a and of the .outlet valve 2. This structure corresponds in a general way to the machines oommonly employed incommercial or industrial laundry plants.

My invention relates partly to a mechanism for automatically actuatingthe several valves 9 and 9a and the outlet valve 2 in any desired predetermined sequence and to so operate any of such valves for any desired pre:

determinable period. To this end, I have provided a solenoid 12 for each of the said a solenoid 12a for each of the said valves 9a, and an additional solenoid 12b for actuating the outlet, valve ,2. As illustrated in Fig. 6, each solenoid 12 is connected by a link 11 with the lever 10'of the associated valve 9. It will also-appear from Fig 'lthat the handles 10 of valves 9a are likewise connected by links 11a with solenoids 12a. 'Ad- .ditional mechanism is provided in; connecof the adjustable cams thereon acto an illustrative example of a washswinging the strap or tion with valves 9a, the structure and purpose of which will be hereinafter described.

For energizing the several solenoids above mentioned, I switch elements, each embodying a stationary contact member 28, a pivota ly tact member 27 having a roller carrying arm 26, and a second arm' 29 for coaction with a spring member 30 whereby the pivoted contact member is normally maintainedout of engagement with the; stationary contact. One of these switch units-is provided for each of the above mentioned solenoids, and an arm 26 of each pivotally mounted switch member is provided with a fiber or other suithave provided a plurality .of 1

mounted conable form of roller for coaction with my improved cam cylinder which will now be described. Referring particularly "to Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings, there is'shown 9. cylinder 21 which is keyed or otherwise removably secured for rotation with a shaft 18 whichis ournaled at one end in the end wall of a casing member'31 and at its opposite endin a cross bar 34 which is hinged at one side to the casing. By virtue of this manner of mounting the drum, it is apparent that by bar 34 laterally, the

cylinder may be freely removed endwise from the housing for purposes 'of adjustment or substitution as will hereinafter appear. The periphery of the drum 21 is formed with a plurality of spaced annular channels 22 for the reception of cam elements 24. In order to adjustably secure the cam elements 24 in such channels, each channel is provided with a plurality of closely spaced apertures drilled therein radially of the axis of the cylinder. These apertures are threaded for the reception of securing bolts 25 which pass through the cam members 24: and have their heads received in countersunk openings in the cam surfaces. It'will. be appreciated that by the provision of this multiplicity of closel spaced apertures, it is possible to minutely a just the cam elements 24 circumferentially of the channels 22. It will be understood, of course, that the cam elements are adapted to coact with the rollers carried by the pivotally mounted switch elements. for pzriodically opening and closing the contact; tween the elements 27 and 28 of the switch unit.

The usual transmision mechanism for re tating and elevating the cylinder in a machine of the'type herein disclosed is housed within a casting 13 which additionally provides a. support forv the operating motor 14. Lo-. cated below the motor is a for motion to transmission shaft rovided'.

no I

' ber is a float 37 secured at the lower end of a the cam drum 21, this motionbeing preferably such as-toefiect a single rotation of the cam cylinder during a complete washing cycle of the machine. .Themotion transmitting connections employed forthis purpose comprise a crank arm 16 secured for rotation with the transmission shaft 15 and connected by a link 17 with an oscillating arm 17 journaled on the shaft18 of the cam drum. The arm 17' carries a'pawl 19 for coacting with the teeth of the ratchet wheel 20 which is secured to shaft 18. It. will thus be seen that during rotation of the motor 1 4 and transmission shaft 15, an intermittent movement will be imparted in one direction to the cam drum 21. As before stated, this transmitting mechanism is sodesigned as to produce one complete rotation of the cam drum duringaa complete washing cycle of the machine.

eferring now to the supplemental control of the intake of certain washin fluids in accordance. with the fluid level within the machine, attention is directed particularly to Figs. 1 and 2. Afloat chamber is shown as having connection through'a pipe 36 wi the bottom of the cylinder for receiving fluid therefrom. Located within this float chamconnectin rod 38, which rod connects at its upper en through an adjustable portion .lOe with a rock shaft 10d. The upper end of the adjustable rod 100 and the rod 106 are illustrated in detail in Fig. wherein it will be seen for each ofthe valves fla, the rock shaft carries an arm for connection with a linkIlOc which is pivoted at its upper end to a pivotally mounted detent 106. A correspondin detent IObis provided in connection with eac of the valves 9a, and these detents are adapted to coact with toothedsegments 10a to ,be secured to the handles of such valves. It will completion of be seen, therefore, that u the circuit including a so enoid 12a, the armature of such solenoid-will be raised, thereby operating. through the link ;11a to raise the handle 10 and actuate the corresponding valve 9a. Atthis time,rthe detent 106 will "amount through any one of thejvalves 9a during a given period of the opening thereof by the-- engage valve 9a is governed entirely by the liquid level within the washing machine through the. medium of thefloat 36 audits connecting rod 38.. Were it not for the liquid level responsive mechanism, it is a parent that the of fluid introduced nto the cylinder solenoid 12a would depend to 'a lar e extent upon the res su re in the fluid supp y mains with whic the conduits 8 are adapted to be connected. This supplemental control is em= ployed in connection with the valves whichv the segment 10a and will hold the valve in open pos1tion,notwithstanding that control the supply of water, either hot or cold, inasmuch as the pressure in the water mains is not subjectto control and'varies in diflerent localities. The supplies of the other washing fluids employed are controllable as to pressure and therefore the sole noid actuated valve mechanism is effective to. introduce definite predetermined amounts of such fluids.

" I also provide in conjunction with the automaticmechanism above described, a manually 0 general selective y actuatin and their associate valves. This manual switch mechanism may be employed either in rable switch mechanism indicated by the reference numeral 40 for i the several solenoids the event of failure of the automatic mechanism or for minor washin operations which do not warrant the buildmg upof the cam cylinden The end wall 32 5f the drum housing 31 is provided with a transparent window 43 through which thecorresponding end wall of; the rotating cam drum can be seen. In orth der to visibly indicate the condition of the machine with reference to the e do of operations which it is performin provide the end wall of the cam drum wi suitablefmarkings 42 which are ada ted to register with an indicatingline orot on the transparent window.

er mark 41 provided The operation of my improved mechanism is exemplified in Fig. 8 by the placement of the cams 24; on out a washing formula consistin troducing cold water for a peri v utes, opening two minutes utes, introducing simultaneously a bleach and I hot water a second five minute of hot water, therea charge valve vfor a period oftwo minutes, then "introducin sour and hot water. for five minutes,-'again, cha

for five minutes, following this by rging for two-minutes,

subjecting the material tocold waterfor five two minute discharge period, a fiveminutes,a minute" period of introduction of both cold.

ing the discharge-valve to drain the cylinder. As indicated herein, cams of a wide variety of sizes corresponding toudiflerent time periods maybe provided for placement about riod of introduction. er opening the -dis-" the cam drum 21- for carrying. I

of five minthe outlet valve for a period of t for discharging cold water, si--- 'multaneously introducing soap and hot water a p the periphery of thelc'am cylinder in. the

channels 22 thereof. Itwill be appreciated that a. practicall unlimited varietyof optimtionsare possib e by the use 'of cams o vferent sizes and b'y-the different placement of- I water and bluing, and thereafter again open-Q 5 the opposite side of each of these switches to to R inclusive.

the cams in the several channels with respect to each other.

The operation of my improved machine is substantially as represented inFig. 8. except that the period of operation of the three water valves 9a is not determined solely by the size and p-lacement'of the cams which con- The various circuit connections, includingv the hand switch mechanism 40, the several cam actuated switch elements 27 and 28, and the several solenoids 12 and 12a will be readily understood from an inspection of Fig. 9.

In this figure, the solenoids have been designated by reference characters S to S inclusive, and the cam actuated switches as R Following out the circuit of solenoid S starting from the power line L, it will be seen that the wire M leads to one side of the solenoid S through a short branch wire N, the other side of this solenoid bein connected through wire N, switch R, an

line N to the main line L. 1 This represents the solenoid circuit including the automatic switch R and inasmuch as each solenoid is also provided with a manually operable switch X, it may bewell to trace out the circuit for the solenoid 'S including its manually operable switch. From the lead N connected to one side of the solenoid, a line 0 extends to one-side of one of the manually operable switches. The other side of this switch connects with a wire P which is common to one side of each of the manu'al switches, which wire connects with the wire P which in turn connects to the main line L.

The main line L is connected to the other side of the solenoid through wires M and N. It will be seen that'the circuit connections are substantial duplicates for each of the solenoids and switches, a line N connecting the line M to one side of each of the solenoids, and a line N connecting-the other side of each solenoid to one of the cam actuated switches. As to the manually actuated 1 switches, the lines 0 connect one side of each vey a realization of their merits.

solenoid with one side of each manual switch, and the common line P and line P connect the other power line.

I i The structural details, mode of operation, and advantages of my invention shouldbe readily understood by those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description. I desire, however, to emphasize certain features of my invention in order to more clearly con First, I would refer particularly to the means whereby variations in pressure in fluidsupply of time.

ing formulae which may be employed. The

lack of such a compensating means has heretofore been a very serious matter inasmuch as owing to variations in pressure, the propor tions of the different fluids involved 1n a washing formula might vary to such an extent as to materially afi'ect the quality of the work produced. Such variation might change from day to day as well as bemg difi'erent in different localities and thus render it impossible toproduce a uniform quality orfclass of work over an extended period In the manufacture of machines for distribution through different sections of the country, it is essential that some such means as herein disclosed 'be provided in order to insule'constant o eration' and results under the varying con itions which are thus encountered.

The advantages of my assembled cam drum construction cannot be too strongly stressed in comparison with mechanisms heretofore designed for the same general purpuse. structural elements of my invention, the cam drum 21 is removable as a unit by merely swinging the supporting bar 34 laterally about its pivot and then withdrawing the drum endwise from engagement with the shaft 18. A plurality of drums 21 might be suitably built up with the adjustable cams 24 to correspond with the entire range of wash- This v structure efmains may be compensated for to the end that As pointed out in describing the v The record of the operation of a given machine.

It should be appreciated that many changes may be made in the structure and arrangement of the parts shown without departing from the spirit of my invention.

What I claim is:

1. In a laundry machine, the combination with a casing, of devices for supplying a plurality of different washing fluids to said casmg, a movable member for rendering said devices active and inactive in a predeter mined sequence and for determining the active periods of such devices, the duration of such periods being calculated to introduce predetermined volumes ofsaid fluidsinto said casing, such calculation being based upon normal pressures at the su ply sources of said fluids, at least one of sai supply sources being subject to pressure variations, and means Ill-L associated with the corresponding one of said devlces for prolonging the active eriod thereof be ond that determined by sai mov able mem I er to compensate for subnormal pressures.

2. In a laundry machine, the combination with a casing, of devices for supplying a plurality of di .erent washing fluids to said casing, a movable member for rendering said devices active and inactive in a predetermined sequence and for determining the active peance with a predetermined washing formula, at least one of said supply sources being subected to pressure variations, and means-associated with the corresponding one of said de-v vices for prolongin the actuation eriod thereof be on'd that etermined by said movable mem er to compensate for subnormal pressures.

In testimony whereof I afiix my si ature.

. EMANUEL J. PE RY.

riods of such devices, the duration of such periods being calculated'to introduce predetermined volumes of said fluids into said casing, such 7 calculation being based u on normal pressures at the supply sources 0 said fluids, at least one of said supply sources being subject to subnormal pressures, and means associated with the corresponding one of said devices for prolonging the active period thereof beyond that determined by said movable member to compensate for such subnormal.

- ume of fluid introduced into said casing, for

prolonging the active period of certaln of said valves 4. In a laundry machine, the combination with a casing, a plurality of sources of fluid under pressure, means communicating with said sources and with said casing, valves controlling said means, a movable member for opening and permitting the closing of said valves in a predetermined sequence, and

I means independent of said member ior preventing the closing of certain of said valves until a predetermined volume of fluid has been introduced into said casing.

5. In a laundry machine, the combination with a casin a fluid inlet pipe communicating with sai casing, a manlfo d communicating with said inlet 1pc, a plurality of sources of washing flui s, valve controlled,

passages for placing said sources in commu- I nication with said manifold, a movable mem-- ber for opening and ermitting the closing of said valves in a pre etermined sequence, and

means independent of said member for preventing the closing of certain of said valves until a predetermined volume of fluid has .7

been introduced into said casing.

6. In a laundry machine, the combination with acasin of devices for sup lying a plurality of dirent washing fluid si to said casing, an intermittently rotatable camcarrying drum for controlling said devices in accord- 

